Combination compact and filler



Dec. 7, 1954 M. J. DINHOFER 2,696,337

COMBINATION COMPACT AND FILLER Filed May 17, 1950 2 Sheets-Sheet l Dec.7, 1954 M. J. DINHOFER 2,696,337

COMBINATION COMPACT AND FILLER Filed May 17, 1950 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 maya? 5% spring 64. The upper terminus is maintained in a groove 62 bymeans of tabs 63 which are formed by bending inwardly portions cut fromthe material forming the inner annular surface 52. When the spring 64 isin an unstressed position, the gasket 58 contacts the edges of theopening 55, thereby preventing any powder disposed within the compactelement from passing therethrough. Pressure exerted upon the centralportion of the sealing member 56 at the gasket 58 will cause the sealingmember to flex as shown on Figure 2, thereby permitting the entry ofadditional powder into the compact element.

The filler element 24 includes a deformable body 70 preferably formedfrom synthetic resins such as polyethylene or organic compositionshaving similar properties. It is provided with an injection nozzle 72which may be inserted into the injection fitting 44. The body 70includes a base portion 74 as well as a deformable side portion 76. Atthe nozzle end of the body there is provided an inner neck portion 78(see Figures 2 and of relatively thicker cross section. This in turnconnects with a resilient annular chamber 80. The outer edge of thechamber in turn connects with an outer neck portion 82, the outermostedge thereof forming a valve seat 84. When the chamber 80 is in anunstressed position, it normally assumes the shapes shown on Figure 3,whereas pressure exerted against the outer neck portion 82 will serve todistort the chamber to the shape shown on Figure 2. Both the inner andouter neck portions 78 and 82 are provided with central openings inwhich there is disposed a valve unit 86, including a stem member 88 anda poppet member 90. The stem member includes inner and outer pairs ofprojections 92 and 94 forming recesses 96 which permit the stem to besecured within the inner neck portion 78 in the position shown onFigures 2 and 3. The poppet member 90 is secured at the outer terminusof the stem member 88, in such a manner that the outer planar surface 99is disposed perpendicularly With respect to the plane thereof. Theconical surface 98 is thus ing formed by the outer neck portion 82, toprovide a seal thereat when the chamber 80 is in an unstressedcondition.

The operation of the device is simple. When it is desired to rechargethe compact element 22 with a fresh amount of powder the outer neckportion 82 is positioned within the injection fitting 44, as shown onFigure 2. Pressing inwardly will result in the edge of the outer neckportion becoming firmly engaged with the converging surface 54. Furtherpressure allows the resilient chamber 80 to be distorted as shown,thereby shortening the distance between the inner and outer neckportions 78 and 82. Since the stem member 88 is inflexible, thedistortion of the chamber 80 results in the poppet member 90 beingprojected against the gasket 58, whereby the sealing member 56 is movedinwardly to uncover the central opening 55. The side portion 76 is thengently squeezed between thumb and forefinger, which action results inthe forcing of powder 100 into the recess 36. Pressure is then released,after which the filler element 24 is withdrawn from the injectionfitting 44. Since the sealing member 56 is held open by the poppetmember 96, both the compact element 22 and the filler element 24 will besimultaneously closed at the time of Withdrawal, thereby preventing anyspilling of powder.

Turning now to the second embodiment of the invention, in which to avoidneedless repetition, certain of the parts corresponding to those of thefirst embodiment are designated by similar reference characters with theadditional prefix 1.

As may be seen on Figures 8 and 9, the second embodiment differs fromthe first embodiment principally in the shape of the injection nozzle 72of the filler element 24. The outer neck portion 174 is provided withthreads 105 engageable with corresponding threads 103 on a protectivescrew type cap 101. When the filler element 24 is not in use, accidentaldischarge of powder is effectively prevented by threadedly engaging thecap, whereby the gasket 104 covers the poppet member 190. In the case ofthe second embodiment, should the filler element be accidentallydropped, the valve unit 186 can in no manner become dislodged to permitspillage of powder. In other respects, the use of the filler elementcorresponds to that employed in the first embodiment.

Turning now to the third embodiment of the invention, in which to avoidneedless repetition, certain of the positioned within the openpartscorresponding to those of the first embodiment have been designated bysimilar reference characters with the additional prefix 2.

The third embodiment differs from the first and second embodiments bothin the structure of the injection fitting as well as the injectionnozzle. This embodiment is particularly suited where low cost ofproduction is of primary importance.

Accordingly, in the third embodiment injection is made through anorifice 209 in the side rim 107 of the compact element 222. This orificeis normally closed by means of a sliding member 111 controlled by afinger engaging tab 213 which rides in a slot 215 in the top flange 217of the rim. Detent means 219 prevents the member 211 from accidentallyopening the orifice 209, and if desired additional detent means may beemployed to maintain the orifice in an opened condition prior toloading. The injection nozzle 221 includes a tapered engagement portion231 into which there is fitted a slotted disk 225. This disk ispreferably formed from rubber or synthetic flexible plastic so thatunder internal pressure the slot 227 will expand to permit powder topass therethrough. As may be seen on Figure 10, the annular chamber 80present in the first embodiment is eliminated.

When using the third embodiment, the compact element is loaded bysliding the finger engaging portion 213 to the right as seen on Figure12, after which the injection nozzle may be inserted into the opening209. After the compact element has been filled, the injection nozzle iswithdrawn, after which the finger engaging portion 213 is slid to theleft permitting the detent means 219 to become engaged. Since theclosing of the orifice 209 is manually accomplished, rather than bymeans of a spring, care should be taken to avoid any of the powder beingspilled prior to the closing of the same.

On Figure 13, there may be seen an alternate form of the thirdembodiment in which the filler element employed is substantially thesame. The sealing member 229, however, is resiliently mounted and issecured to the outer wall 242 by means of rivets 231. The member 229 isprovided with a hemispherical portion which fills the opening, and whichmay be contacted by the injection nozzle whereby the same may bedeflected for filling. Upon removal of the injection nozzle the member229 returns to its initial position, automatically sealing the opening.

On Figure 14 there may be seen another alternate form of the thirdembodiment. In this case the sealing member 233 is pivotally mounted onthe outer wall about an axis lying in the wall. A fingernail recess 235is provided to allow for the opening of the member 233, the samepermitting the member to lie fiush with the wall when the centralopening is closed.

On Figure 15 there may be seen still another alternate form of the thirdembodiment wherein the sealing member is pivotally mounted about an axisperpendicular to the outer wall. Here the pivotally mounted sealingmember 239 is mounted on a pin 241, the member 239 being held in closedposition by detent means 243. A gasket 245 assists in maintaining aleak-proof seal.

It may thus be seen that I have invented novel and highly usefulimprovements in reloadable compacts and filler elements therefor. Therefilling of a compact may be accomplished speedily and with practicallyno loss of powder. This structure permits the selling of powder inrelatively greater quantities than heretofore possible with a resultantlower cost of marketing the same. Substantially all waste of powder inreloading the compact is eliminated, and the reloading may beaccomplished with a convenience heretofore unobtainable.

I wish it to be understood that I do not consider the invention limitedto the exact details shown and set forth in this specification, forobvious modifications will occur to those skilled in the art to whichthe present invention pertains.

I claim:

1. For use in filling a cosmetic compact, filler element structurecomprising: a deformable body member having an open end therein; aninner neck bordering said open end; a resilient annular chamberconnected to said inner neck portion; an outer neck portion connected tosaid chamber, said outer neck portion forming a valve seat; a valve unithaving a stem portion engaged by said inner neck and a surfaceengageable with said valve seat; whereby pressure exerted upon saidresilientannular chamber to distort the same results in disengagingbordering said open end; a resilient annular chamber said surface fromsaid valve seat to permit passage of connected to said inner neckportion; an outer neck powder therebetween. portion connected to saidchamber, said outer neck por- 2. As a new article of manufacture, apowder filling tion forming a valve seat; a valve unit having a stemdevice comprising: a polyethylene body member, an inner portion engagedby said inner neck portion, and a surneck portion connected to said bodymember, a resilient face engageable With said valve seat; said compacthaving annular chamber connected to said inner neck portion, aninjection fitting corresponding to said outer neck poran outer neckportion connected to said chamber, a tion, said injection fitting havinga resiliently urged sealvalve unit connected to said inner neck portionand ing member which is adapted to be contacted by a porhaving a surfacepositioned to close the opening in said 10 tion of said valve unit uponengagement of said fitting ou-ter neck portion; said annular chamberbeing distortwith said outer neck portion of said filler element ableunder pressure exerted upon a pontion thereof to structure. result inthe opening of said valve unit.

3. A combination cosmetic compact :and filler element References Citedin the file of this patent structure therefor comprising: a deformablebody mem- UNITED STATES PATENTS her having an open end therein; an innerneck portion bordering said open end; a resilient annular chamber NumberName Date connected to said inner neck portion; an outer neck por-634,036 Bates Oct. 8, 1901 tion connected to said chamber, said outerneck portion 1,628,106 Booty May 10, 1927 forming a valve seat; a valveunit having a stem portion 1,770,071 Davis July 8, 1930 engaged by saidinner neck portion, and a surface engage- 1,810,366 Martin June 16, 1931able with said valve seat; said compact having an injec- 1,934,197Mackay et a1. Nov. 7, 1933 tion fitting corresponding to said outer neckportion, said 2,192,796 Moores et al. Mar. 5, 1940 injegtionfittinglaging a sealing membelr which is adapted 2,337,276 Sane-his Dec.21, 1943 to e contacte y a portion of sai va ve unit upon engagement ofsaid fitting with said outer neck portion FOREIGN PATENTS of said fillerelement structure. Number Country Date 4. A combination cosmetic compactand filler element 244,535 Great Britain July 1, 1926 structure thereforcomprising: a deformable body mem- 461,720 Germany June 27, 1928 herhaving an open end therein; an inner neck portion

